12-12-13 Accessibility

Dec 12 2013 ---   AccessibilityAccessibility is sometimes a complex hurdle to overcome ----  and when I say accessibility, I mean to the tools that bring us closer to our goals ---
    This is access to equipment for our workouts, as well as good food, and cooking /preparing areas for meals.
I've worked from home quite a bit over the past year, and even with a decently equipped studio, and  a kitchen at my disposal,  its still hard at times to get in workouts and keep meal frequency at the level I need --- its twice the challenge when I'm deployed and on the road
    --- On the road, when we can, we should look for lodging that helps meet our goals -- most of the larger chain hotels have fitness rooms where you can at least get in a little treadmill time,  and I often search for an extended stay which gives me a small kitchenette to work with  --

Meals on the road are tough, but with a kitchenette , you can eat as well as you do at home with a little planning -- and you'll save a bit over going to the restaurants.   A place with a hot breakfast is a bonus, as you can start your day with a plate of eggs and a slice or two of bacon (don't over-do the bacon though  ) , and be able to pocket a banana or an apple or two for snacks later when in the field
   On a recent deployment to New York, (anyone remember Hurricane Sandy? ) I can count on my fingers the meals I had out -- and that was to take in a slice or two of NY pizza or an authentic NY deli sandwich -- you want to eat right, but you don't need to torture yourself --
The rest of my meals were things I could whip up on a stovetop at the hotel -- some of the chain grocers that stock pre-packaged , pre-cooked meals are great, - its easy to pick up a rotisserie chicken and some steamable veggies
   
    Don't expect to make big fitness gains if your out of town working 10-12 hours a day, but you can stay in a maintenance mode with bodyweight exercises if your fitness center only has a treadmill, and I have brought a set of adjustable dumbbells with me on a storm or two -- I use the BowFlex SelectTech brand, but there are many out there

    On longer deployments , or when its easy , - (sometimes you'll luck out and your hotel will be next to a gym) - consider hitting a local fitness center or YMCA if the hotel gym is not up to par and if weather conditions keep you from doing things outside---- let the manager know you are working in the area on a storm detail, and many times they can work out an ala carte arrangement, where you can buy 2 weeks or a month of membership for a set price , but it will be cheaper than paying a daily guest fee --- there have been times on shorter term deployments where the gym staff has simply comp'ed me a free month ,

There are lots of ways to get your workout in on the road -- I feel like I've tried many of them - I've even had my significant other box and ship my bicycle to me before on a couple of occasions, when I got to a location and it looked like  I might be able to squeeze some riding in on the local roads or trails ---

If any of you perusing this are deployed or are going to be and the suggestions I offer in print aren't working, just call or email and chances are I can offer some advice or a suggestion or two, as I said, t seems like I've tried about everything.   

Until next time

--- Doug